Grease trap



2 Sheets-Sheet l G. J. DEHN GREASE TRAP Filed April 22, 1953 a w n May Z8, 1935.

(\d/M//U/ /V//w fnl May 28, 1935. ;l J, DEHN GREASE TRAP Filed April 22, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 28, 1935 f UNITED STATES y PATENT OFFICE GREASE TRAP George Dehn, Chicago, Ill.' Application April 22, 1933, Serial No. 667,390 21 Claims. (Cl. 21o-56) The invention relates generally to grease of device for regulating or controlling the rate traps. More particularly the invention relates `of flow of the drainage-through the basin. Fig. to that type of grease trap which is used pri- 9 is a fragmentary perspective of anothermodimarily in pipe systems for drainage and comfied form of flow control device.

5 prises a basin which is connected in the system The grease trap which is shown in Figs. 1 to 6 5 so that the drainage flows therethrough, and has of the drawings and involves the preferred form means for bailling and cooling the drainage so f the invention, comprises: a basin having a as to congeal the grease and separate it from the Cylindrical side Wall ll and an integral, bOttOm drainage. f e I2. This basin has an open top and is normally l0 One object of the invention is to providea closed by a cover I3 which is removably secured l0 grease trap of this type having means for regto the top margin of the side wall II by screws ulating or restricting the flow of the drainage I4. Abushing Is fixed in or cast integrally with through the basin so the rate of flow will not the side wall of the basin and embodies a screw be in excess of that necessary effectively to septhread for connection with a drainage-conductarate substantially all the grease from the ing pipe, as well understood in the art. A nipple l5 drainage. I6 has its outer end threaded to the inner end Another object of the invention is to provide a of the bushing I5 to deliver the drainage from grease trap of the last mentioned character in the pipe into the basin. The inner end ofthe which means for regulating or controlling the nipple l5 iS threaded into the upper DOItOn Of flow of drainage through the basin is disposed in a tubular closed receptacle II into which the 20 the basin and is housed so that it is not likely to drainage flows from the nipple I6. The top of be tampered with. the receptacle I1 is closed by a screw-plug I8 Another object of the invention is to provide a which is removable to permit access to the inside grease trap of the type under consideration of the receptacle. The drainage is discharged lhaving improved means for separating the solfrom the upper portion of the receptacle through 25 ids from the drainage before the latter passes to a downwardly extending pipe which is composed the cooling means in the basin. of a lower section I9 which is screw-threaded A further object of the invention is to increase into the bottom of the receptacle l1, an upper the separating efficiency of the trap by providing section 20 and a coupling sleeve 2I into which a system of baflles for directing and retarding the lower end of pipe section 20 and the upper 30` the flow of the drainage to and around the end of pipe section I9 are threaded. The lower cooling means and before the drainage is disendof pipe section 20 is open to dischargethe charged from the basin. drainage into the basin. The receptacle serves Other objects of the invention and the various to catch and retain the solids in the drainage. advantages and characteristics of the present 'Ihe accumulated matter. can be periodically 35 grease trap construction will be apparent from removed through the top of the receptacle when a consideration of the following detailed descripthe lplug I8 is removed. tion. In grease traps of this type, it has been found The invention consists in the several novel that the separatingv efliciency depends in great 40 features which are hereinafter set forth and measure upon having a proper rate of flow of 40 are more particularly defined by the claims at the drainage S0 that the greaSe in transit the conclusion hereof. through the basin wi1l`coagulate and. coalesce In the drawings which accompany and form before it passes into the pipe 20, I9. To permit a part of the present description or specification the rate of ilow to be controlled or regulated, and inwhich like numerals of reference denote means is provided in the basin by which the 45 corresponding parts throughout the several flow of drainage through the pipe 20, I 9 is views: Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a trap emchecked or regulated. In the form of the inbodying Vthe preferred form of the invention. vention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, a cap 22 is Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2 2 screw-threaded to the upper end of the pipe of Fig. l. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail viewsl showsection 20 and is provided with segmental open- 50 ing the means for regulating or controlling the ings 23 in its top wall. A valve 24 having ropenflcw of the drainage through the basin. Fig. 5 ings adapted to register in whole or in part is a vertical section on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1. with the openings 23, is pivoted on top of the Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 -6 of Fig. 2. cap and is adapted to be locked in any adjusted Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views of a modified form position by a set screw 25. By varying the effective area of the openings 23 through a setting of the valve 24, the flow of drainage into the pipe section 20 can be regulated so that the rate of flow will be such as to permit the flow.

of the drainage to be checked or retarded suiliciently to eiect thorough separation of the grease from the drainage. fact that the flow control means is housed in the receptacle I'I there is little if any likelihood ot the means being tampered with. c

In Figs. 7 and 8, a modified form of flow controlling means is illustrated. This means consists of a cap 22e which is screw-threaded to the pipe section 20 and is provided with a series" Plugs 25 are provided. By closof holes 23a. ing one or two of the holes with plugs 25, the rate of flow may be varied as desired. AIn Fig.' 9 a further modiiication of the fflow control means is illustrated in which the `screw cap 22b is provided with an interiorly threaded an'ge 426 having triangular `or wedge-shaped notches 23b formed in the ilange. -By adjusting the cap upwardly or downwardly, the area of the openings above the-pipe section-V26 left by the notchesY may be increased or decreased to regulate the ow of drainage into-said'pipe section.

.These constructions exemplify means for regulating the inow of the drainage and the rate ofV flow through the basin., As a result, the rate Yof ilowl may be varied to effect substantially complete separation of the grease from the drainageV as hereinafter set forth. In some instances, the character of the grease is-such piper3I for coolingwater is threaded into one of the end walls 33 below the partition 35 and an outlet pipe 38 is threaded into thesame end wall above thepartition35. Water entering the pipe 31 Aflows rthrough thevchamber below the partition 3,5,7-then upwardly through opening 3,6 and then backwardly Yacross the chamber above the partition to the outlet pipe 38. This constructioninsuresthe flow of cooling `water through all portions ofthe cooling unit.

4This cooling unitforms a bridge which extends 'across the lower portion of the basin so that `the drainage must `pass in contact with the side wall of the cooling unit at the inlet side where the pipe section I9 delivers the drainage, .and over `the unit to reachthe discharge pipeVat-the otherside of the unit. The cooling unit is provided with an integral upwardly extending wall 44 with laterally extending ribs or flanges 45 raround which the drainage must flow in passing from one side of the cooling unit vtothe other. This construction retards the ilow to aid in separating thekgrea'se from the drainage as yit ilows over the cooling unit. The lower end of pipe section I9 passes through a horizontal baffle 39 which extends between Vone side wall yof the cooling unit and the side of the basinrso that the drainage will be. discharged from the pipe-section I9 into the By virtue of the drainage from chamber -formed in its side wall through which the drain- Yage will flow laterally into the space above the ballleat .one sideof the cooling-unit. From the space above the baffle 29,. the drainage flows over the cooling unit. A lower baille 46 and an Y, upper baille 46a extend the space at the discharge side of the cooling unit and from the unitv to the side of the basin. A discharge pipe ,46h for the drainage from which the grease has been separated, has its lower end open to receive lthe drainage and extends upwardly through bothrof the bailles 46 and 46a to an elbow 41 which isconnected by a nipple 48 to an outlet bushing 49 in the basin wall. ,An opening50 is kformedin the baille 46 and is covered by a hood 5I which is secured on said baffle and has a .closed-top Vand openings 52 in its cylindrical wall `to retardthe'flow of the drainage into the charnber53fbetween bailles 46,45. The drainage entering Ythe chamber 53 through hood V5I iiows across the basinfat one side of the cooling unit to a hood 54 which is similar in construction to the hoods 5I and I42. FromA hood 54, the drainage iiows through the opening 55 in the lower baille 45 Ytothe lchamber 56 ybelow said baille. The 56 flows upwardly through the discharge pipe 46 to the outlet in the basin.

In operation, the drainage is discharged into the closed receptacle I'I where the solids are separated so they'will be retained on its bottom around pipe 26. The drainage then flows into the top of pipe 20'through the regulating device by which the maximum rate of flow of the drainage through the trap is controlled. After passing through the regulating device, the drainage iiows downwardly through pipe sections 29, I9 into the chamber 40 below the baille 39 where it contacts with one side of the lower portion of the cooling unit. Next the drainage passes upwardly through the hood 42 into the space above baille 39, at one side of the cooling unit. The

drainage there contacts with the upper portion of one side of the cooling unit and passes around and over the baffle-ribs 45 tothe other side of the cooling unit. The hoods 42 and 5I are disposed at diametricallyopposite points so that the drainage mustV travel over the cooling unit and across the basin to reach the hood 5I through which the drainage ows into the chamber 53 below baille 46.. The drainage next passes along ythe discharge side of the cooling unit in chamber -53 to the hood-,54. Next the drainage flows through the hood .54 into the chamber 56 below baffle 45 and into the lower end of the discharge pipe. This construction has been found in practice to result in a substantially complete separation of the grease from vthe drainage so the grease will be retained in the basin above the cooling unit. A vent pipe is usually connected to an opening 5,8 inthe upper portion of the basin. The drainage flows into the chamber 40 below the Vbaille 39 where it is confined to contact with one side of the cooling unit, then upwardly through baille 39 and laterally from the hood 4 2, -then over and across the cooling unit, then through cap 5I and baille 46 at the discharge side of the cooling unit and CII acrossthe chamber between bailles 45, 45, then through hood 54 into the chamber below the baffie 45, and thenupwardly to and through the discharge pipe.

The invention exemplifies a grease trap which is equipped with means'ior varying the rate of ow of the drainage through the basin so that the grease will be coalesced and coagulated before it reaches the discharge and will be retained in the basin. In practice, it has been found that by varying the rate of flow through the basin, practically complete separation ofy the grease from the drainage is obtained. The invention also exemplifies a trap structure for directing the flow to cool thoroughly the drainage and for eiective and substantially complete separation of Ythe grease. i

The invention is not to be understood to be restricted to the details set forth and may be modified within the scopeof the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the, invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a grease trap of the character described,-

the combination of a basin provided withan let and an outlet for drainage and having a removable cover, means in the basin yfor separating grease from the drainage as the latter flows through the basin, and means for varying the rate of fiow oi the drainage through the basin, disposed wholly `within the basin and accessible for manipulation only when the cover is removed from the basin.

2. In a grease trap ci the character described, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet and an outlet for drainage and having aremovable cover, a vertical pipe in the basin through which the drainage iiows from 'theinlet to the outlet, means in the basin for separating grease from the drainage, and means for varying the rate of flow ofthe drainage through the pipe,

associated with the upper end of the pipe and disposed wholly within the basin so that it is only accessible for manipulation when the cover is removed from the basin.

3. In a grease trap oi the character described, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet and an outlet for drainage and having a removable cover, means in the basin for separating grease fro-in the drainage including a cooling unit and adjustable valve means for varying the rate of ow of the drainagearound the cooling unit and through the basin, disposed wholly within the basin and accessible ior manipulation or adjustment only when the cover is removed from the basin.

4. In a grease trap of the character described, the combination or a basin provided with a horizontal pipe for delivering drainage thereto, a closed receptacle for retaining solids disposed in the basin and arranged soV that the pipe discharges into the upper portion thereof, a second pipe extending vertically through the bottom of the receptacle and having an opening at its upper end substantially in line with the horizontal pipe to permit the drainage inthe receptacle to flow into the pipe and its lower end extending through the bottom of the receptacle and into the basin, means in the basin for separating grease from the drainage, and a conduit for conducting the drainage from the basin.

5. In a grease trap of the character described, the` combination or a basin provided with a horizontal inlet-nipple for ydelivering drainage; thereto, a closed receptacle for retaining solids, Con-t nected to receive the'drainage from the Vinlet nipple and disposedinthe basin, a pipeextending vertically through the bottom 'of the'receprf, tacle `having an. opening at its upper-'end `sub-' stantially in linewith .the nipple'topermit the drainage inV the-receptacleto ilow downwardly through the pipe and its 'lower end extendingV through the bottom of the receptaclei-and-into the bottom `of the basin, means inthebasin for separating grease from the. drainage, and aiconduit for conducting the drainage fromthe basin. .6. In a grease trap of the character described, the combination ofv abasin provided with a; horizontal inlet nipple for delivering drainage thereto, a closed receptacle for retaining solidsV disposed in thebasin and arranged so that the nipple discharges the drainage into the upper portion thereof, a vertical pipe comprising .superposed sections, thupper of which is inther receptacle and has its upper.. end disposed "substantially in line with the nipple open to permitthedrainage torlow downwardly through the pipe and from the drainage Vas the latter flows throughy the basin, and 'a conduitfor conducting the ,drainage from the basin. f

7. In a grease v.trap kof .the characterdescribed, the combination of a basin provided with'""a'n inlet for drainage,"a"brid'ge extendingacross the lower portion of 'the basin over which the drainage flows, 'a downwardly extending pipe -connected to receive the drainage from .said inlet andfdischargeV it downwardlyV in the basin Yat one. side oi the bridge, a substantially horizontal baille between the bridge aiid'ones'ideof the basin, .through which the drainage is discharged by-said pipe; and ari-outlet kconduit at theother side of .thel bridge, for conducting the drainage upwardly irom'the low'erportion of theother side of the basin. Y

8. In a grease trapfoi the character'described, the combination of a basin provided with an `inlet for drainage, VaY bridge extending across the lowerV portion `of the basin overwhichthe drainnected toreceive the drainage from said inlet andV discharge it downwardly in the basin at one side of the bridge, a 'substantially .horizontal baffle between the bridge and fone side' ,ofl the basin, through which the ydrainage is discharged by said pipe, a substantially horizontal second barile between the bridge and the other, sidefof thebasin, andan outlet conduit at theother side ci the bridge for vconducting the drainage upwardlyirorn the lower portion of said other side of the basin belowthefsecond baille.

9, In a grease trap of the characterfdescribed, the combination of abasin provided-'with an inlet Vfor drainage, a bridgey extendingacross the lower portion of the basin over which the drainage flowaa downwardly extending pipe connected to receive the drainage from said. inlet and discharge it downwardly in the basinat one side of the bridge, a substantially horizontal penilev between the bridge Vandorre sidek of the lower. portion ofthe basin and through the plurality of Vballes.

10. In a grease trap of the character described, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet for drainage, a vertical pipe connected to v receive drainage from said inlet and discharge it downwardly in the basin, a horizontally extending bale disposed in the basin in spaced relation with the basin bottom to form a chamber between it and said basin bottom and having an opening therein through which the lower end of the pipe extends so that the latter discharges into said chamber, said baille having another opening therein for permitting the drainage to ow upwardly outof the chamber, a perforated hood over the last .mentioned opening for retarding the iiow of drainage therethrough, and an outlet connection for conducting the drainage out of the basin.

11. In a grease trap, of the characterdescribed, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet for drainage, a bridge extending across the lower portion of the basin over which the drainage ilows, a downwardly extending pipe connected to receive drainage from said inlet and discharge it downwardly in the basin at one side of the bridge, a baille between the bridge and one side of the basin through which the drainage is discharged by said pipe, a perforated cap over an opening in the4 baffle through which the drainage passes, and an outlet conduit at the other sidef of the bridge. forY conducting the drainage upwardly from the `lower portion of the other -side of the basin and out of said basin.

12. In a grease trap of the character described, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet for drainage, a bridge extending across the lower portion of the basin over which the drainage flows, a downwardly extending pipe connected to receivethe drainage from said inlet and discharge it downwardly in the basin at one side of the bridge, a substantially horizontal baille-between the bridge and one side of the basin through which the drainage is discharged by saidrpipe, a substantially horizontal second baille between the bridge and the other side of the basin, perforated caps over openings in the bailles through which the drainage flows, and an outlet conduit for the drainage.

13. In a grease trap of the character described, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet for drainage, a hollow cooling unit iitting in and extending across the bottom of the basin and provided with a partition dividing the space in the unit into upper and lower chambers, inlet and outlet pipes for a cooling medium connected to one end of the unit and to the chambers below and above the partition respectively, the partition having an opening adjacent .the other end of the unit to cause the cooling medium to flow back and forth across the unit, a downwardly extending pipe connected to receive the drainage from the inlet and to discharge it downwardly in the basin at one side of the unit, and an outlet connection for the drainage at the other side of the cooling unit.

14. In a grease trap of the character described, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet for drainage, a hollow cooling unit tting in and extending across the bottom of the basin and provided with a partition dividing the space in the unit into upper and lower chambers, inlet and outlet pipes connected to one end of the unit and to the chambers above and below the partition respectively, the partition having an opening adjacent the other end of the unit to cause the cooling liquid to flow back and forth across the unit, a downwardly extending pipe connected to receive the drainage from the inlet and to discharge it downwardly in the basin at one side of the unit, an integral ribbed wall on the top of the unit for retarding the flow of the drainage from said one side to the other, and an outlet connection for the drainage at said other side of the cooling unit.

15. In a grease trap of the character described, the combination of a basin, an inlet for delivering drainage into the basin, a vertical pipe connected to receive drainage from said inlet and discharge it downwardly into the lower portion of the basin, an outlet connection comprising a vertical pipe to receive drainage and conduct it upwardly from the lower portion of the basin and pass it out of the basin, a hollow cooling unit etxending transversely across the basin between the two pipes, and a baille between one side of the unit and the side of the basin, through which the inlet pipe discharges the drainage.

16. In a grease trap of the character described, the combination of a basin, an inlet for delivering drainage into the basin, a vertical pipe connected to receive drainage from said inlet and to discharge it downwardly into the lower portion of the basin, an outlet connection comprising a vertical pipe to receive the drainage and conduct it upwardly from the lower portion of the basin and discharge it from saidV basin, a hollow cooling unit extending transversely across the basin between the two pipes, and baies between the sides of the unit and the side wall of the basin having openings therein through which the lower ends of the pipes extend and additional openings for the passage of the drainage therethrough.

17. In a grease trap of the character described, the combination of a basin, an inlet for delivering drainage into the basin, a vertical pipe connected to receive the drainage from said inlet and discharge it downwardly into the lower portion of the basin, an outlet connection comprising a vertical pipe to receive the drainage and conduct it upwardly from the lower portion of the basin and discharge it from said basin; a hollow cooling unit extending transversely across the basin between the two pipes, a baille between one side of the unit and the side of the basin having an opening through which the lower end of the inlet pipe extends and also having an additional opening to permit the drainage to flow upwardly from the space beneath said baille for flow over the cooling unit, and a plurality of bailles between the other side of the unit and the basin having aligned openings through which the lower end of the discharge pipe extends and also having openings for permitting the drainage to flow downwardly into the space beneath the lowermost of said bailles. Y

18. In a grease trap of the character described, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet and an outlet for the circulation of drainage therethrough, means in the basin for separating grease from the drainage as the 'latter ilows through the basin, means also in the basin whereby the rate of ilow of the drainage through the basin may be varied and housing means in the basin extending around and encasing the ow varying means.

19. In a grease trap of the character described the combination of a basin provided with an inlet and an outlet for the circulation of drainage therethrough, a closed receptacle for retaining solids disposed in the basin and connected to the inlet so as to receive the drainage therefrom, a vertical pipe extending downwardly through the receptacle and serving to discharge the drainage after removal of solids therefrom downwardly through the receptacle into the bottom of the basin, and means in the receptacle for controlling the rate of fiow of the drainage through the pipe. l

20. In a grease trap of the character described, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet and an outlet for the circulation of drainage therethrough, a closed receptacle for retaining solids disposed in the basin and connected to the inlet so as to receive the drainage therefrom, a vertical pipe extending downwardly through the receptacle and serving to discharge the drainage after Vremoval of solids therefrom downwardly through the receptacle into the bottom of the basin, and valve means applied to the upper end of the pipe and disposed in the receptacle for controlling the rate of flow of the drainage through the pipe.

21. In a grease trap of the character de-y scribed, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet and an outlet for the circulation of drainage therethrough, means in the basin for separating grease from the drainage as the latter ows through the basin, means associated with the basin whereby the rate of flow of the drainage through said basin may be varied, and means for averting tampering with the owvarying means comprising a housing extending around and completely enclosing the last mentioned means.

GEORGE' J. DEHN. 

